Sometimes I wonder if the total of my existence is a practice in patience. The Art of Waiting. The Zen of Dealing in the Now. I get so many opportunities.

Anyhoo, this is what I’m up to while I wait for my lungs to clear and my voice to come back.

I found a British detective series at the library starring the 5th Doctor Who (Peter Davison). “Dangerous” Davies is literally the Last Detective his boss would send on a case. He’s a milquetoast, a butt of all jokes, a kind and gentle copper in a department full of cynical creeps. I loved it.

I always need something to do at my craft table when I’m sick. Luckily, the birthday present I made for my therapist took a wrong turn, and I had to rethink it. I’ve been sewing beads for six days now, which is a perfect, mindless activity for a head full of snot. And I like where the piece is heading.

Before I got croupy, I’d cut squares for a quilted wall hanging. A friend, who works at a paint/flooring shop, gave me all their upholstery sample books last summer, and I pulled out bits I thought might look nice in my bedroom. I used a very old scarf of my grandma’s as a focus and built the progression of squares around that. In my infirmary, I’ve sewn the top together, layered it with batting and a back, and am now ready to start quilting. I think it will look lovely on my wall.

I’m not journaling much, but I did try something new. I’ve shifted from paint to organic stuff that stains. Organics like tea and spices are subtle and leave the paper soft. Coffee is my favorite. I make a pot, then take the filter full of wet grounds and scrub it over the paper. The thin filter eventually ruptures and I leave the scattered grounds on the paper all day. Sometimes I add a few drops of ink to the grounds for subtle color.

This time I sprinkled sea salt on top and spritzed the pages with water just to see what would happen. I’m sorta loving the result.

Taking a shower may still zap all my energy, and trying to talk gives me a headache, but I’m doing stuff, which makes me feel less like a zombie. And it makes waiting so much easier.

How fun to mess around with organics and water and your imagination like a free child and even with them in my appreciative hands, I had no idea that you used so much experimentation and weird-resourced material in making your fabulous cards! Sea salt on top of the coffee grounds make that amazing chemical reaction on the right? wow. I wish you clear breathing. xoxoxo

Sorry to hear you are sick – on the other hand, I was just gifted bags and bags of upholstery material (of course, I said yes, I know how to get them into hands that will craft, rather than the landfill….) Can I mail you some surplus supplies (free) for your projects? I’ve ordered cards before, ya should have my email – just send address – and I’ll send some supplies your way – do wash – the material has been stored in storage shed and though protected, it is in need of ‘freshening’ – 🙂 Shades of browns, (from beige to chocolate), green (olive to forest) burgundy and purple stock available – much of it in pieces that would cover chair seat with some trimmin – I’ve been away and had planned on sending you trims/small items for your cards when I sort through my inherited craft crates – BUT! upon seeing this! Want to share the bounty with those I know will put it to good use!!! 🙂